e-commerce
Quikr launches Dazzlr to organise film industry
MUMBAI: Quikr announced the launch of Dazzlr, a talent discovery platform that brings together Actors, Casting Professionals, Directors and Producers. Available on both Android and iOS, Dazzlr is aimed at organizing casting and talent discovery that will address the needs of the film industry in India and beyond. The Indian media and entertainment sector alone is expected to become a US$ 29.11 billion by 2019.
The platform has been developed by Quikr in partnership with Vivek Bohra, a third generation Film Maker and renowned Casting Director, Aadore Mukherjee. It offers tailored solutions to cater to the unique needs of both artists and casting professionals for a variety of entertainment formats such as cinema, television, theatre, advertising, regional and international film production. Based in Mumbai, Dazzlr currently has a strong team of professionals that will operate as an independent entity under the Quikr umbrella.
Talking about the launch Pranay Chulet, Founder & CEO Quikr said, “Right from our early days, we’ve had entertainment as a category in Quikr. It gets half a million monthly unique visitors without any marketing because of the sheer size of India’s media and entertainment industry. Artists are always looking for projects, aspirants are always looking for a break and production houses are always looking for talent. Technology can be a huge enabler in this marketplace as I’ve seen in my own experience in this space in the past. We’re tremendously excited about this opportunity to help bring more structure to this large, multilingual industry that touches every corner of India.”
Sharing his enthusiasm about the announcement, Vivek Bohra, Writer, Director and Dazzlr Co-Founder said, “This is just a first step in Dazzlr’s journey to help organize the unorganized segments of the entertainment industry. We have worked closely with the product and technology teams at Quikr to ensure that Dazzlr caters to the unique needs of our peers in the film industry. While we begin with getting ease and transparency to casting and discoverability for industry professionals, we are sure that the road ahead is going to see many more divisions of the entertainment industry becoming more transparent and organized”.
Casting Director, Aadore Mukherjee further added, “Dazzlr is the culmination of months of hard work and years of experience in the film industry. We have kept the approach very professional and have created a platform that helps aspiring actors get the attention they deserve. The response so far has been very encouraging and in barely a couple of weeks of testing, we have over 70 casting directors, production houses, advertising agencies and close to 2000 artists using the platform across India. Dazzlr has already helped to cast commercials for Axis Bank and Dark Fantasy Chocolates. Just like my upcoming film Baar Baar Deko which features cast from the UK. I expect Dazzlr to create an impact for talent internationally as well.”
Dazzlr allows budding actors to list for free with a fee to apply for select roles. The platform enables production houses and casting directors to post their requirements and browse through artist portfolios to bookmark and call them for auditions. Some of its unique features for artists include provisions for video and image uploads to build a portfolio and notifications to help them stay updated on opportunities in upcoming screen roles.
e-commerce
Flipkart rolls out 105 per cent bonus for 20,000 employees
Strong FY25 performance drives payouts even as layoffs and shifts unfold.
MUMBAI: In a year where belts were tightened and rewards loosened, Flipkart seems to be playing both offence and defence trimming roles on one hand while handing out a generous 105 per cent bonus on the other. The Walmart owned e commerce major has rolled out a 105 per cent bonus payout for 2025, covering nearly 20,000 employees, signalling a year of steady operational momentum even as the company navigates restructuring pressures. The payout, communicated internally by chief human resources officer Seema Nair, is tied to performance across key metrics including growth, operational efficiency, financial outcomes and people indicators, a combination that suggests the company is inching closer to its long stated goal of sustainable profitability.
Employees at SD level and below are set to receive their bonuses in March, while payouts for senior leadership, including vice presidents and senior vice presidents, will follow after the close of the performance cycle. The elevated 105 per cent multiplier stands out in a sector where cautious payouts have increasingly become the norm, pointing to what appears to be a relatively strong internal scorecard for FY25.
Yet, the announcement arrives with a noticeable contrast. Earlier this year, Flipkart reduced its workforce by around 300 roles as part of its annual performance review process. While officially framed as performance driven, the juxtaposition of layoffs alongside above target bonuses reflects a more nuanced balancing act, one that prioritises cost discipline while continuing to reward and retain high performing talent.
This dual approach is becoming increasingly common across the technology and e commerce landscape, where companies are navigating an uneven hiring environment while under pressure to deliver profitability. Rewarding top contributors, even amid selective workforce reductions, allows firms to maintain morale and retain critical talent without losing sight of financial prudence.
At the same time, Flipkart is also undergoing leadership shifts that hint at a broader strategic recalibration. Nishant Verman has been appointed senior vice president for corporate development and partnerships, while group chief financial officer Sriram Venkataraman is set to step down. Ravi Iyer will take on expanded responsibilities within the finance function, marking a reshuffle at the top as the company gears up for its next phase.
These changes come amid reports that Flipkart is planning to shift its holding structure back to India, a move widely interpreted as groundwork for a potential public listing. While timelines remain fluid, the combination of stronger financial discipline, leadership restructuring and employee incentivisation suggests a company preparing itself for greater scrutiny and scale.
For employees, the 105 per cent payout offers a welcome boost in what has otherwise been a period of adjustment. For Flipkart, it is a signal that even as it cuts where necessary, it is willing to spend where it counts. In the high stakes game of growth versus profitability, the company appears to be hedging its bets carefully, rewarding performance while reshaping itself for what could be its most defining chapter yet.
